September 12, 2025
EDMONTON – Living organ donors and their recipients have gathered in Edmonton for a special Living Donation Week event hosted by Alberta’s organ and tissue donation program, Give Life Alberta. The Living Donor Celebration honours the courageous and selfless people who chose to give a gift of life while they are still alive.
While most organ donation is from deceased donors, some healthy adults can safely donate one kidney or a part of their liver and still live a normal life. Since the University of Alberta Hospital’s (UAH) first living donation patients – kidney in 1967, liver in 1998 - more than 1,400 people have stepped up to become living donors at the UAH. Some donated anonymously to a stranger.
About 75 donors from across Alberta, many with their recipients, attended today’s celebration. The event featured medal presentations for donors as well as donation-themed activities such as crafts and a photo booth. It was also an opportunity to meet other donor/recipient pairs.
Dianna Havin and Linda Keehn spoke at the celebration together. In 2021, retired nurse Havin donated a kidney anonymously to “whoever needs it”. Her recipient turned out to be Keehn, who is also a retired nurse in the Edmonton area. They have since met through Give Life Alberta and become friends.
“(Since my transplant) the change in my life has been dramatic,” says Keehn, who had renal vasculitis and spent five years on dialysis.
“I feel like I can never repay the gift that’s been given to me except to go out in the world, live my life, support and help others in whatever way I can… and I’m able to do that because of the sacrifice Dianna made for me… It takes a very special person to be able to do that.”
“If you’re interested in (living) donation, try it,” says Havin. “The rewards far outweigh any small discomforts… it’s a priceless experience.
In 2024 alone, a total of 74 living donors selflessly saved lives in Alberta by donating 69 kidneys and five liver lobes. Living donors go through an extensive testing process to ensure they are healthy enough for major surgery, compatible with their intended recipient (to minimize the chance of rejection), and infection-free.
For recipients, the benefits of having a living donor (compared to a deceased donor) can include a shorter wait time, better compatibility and potentially a longer, healthier life: organs from living donors tend to last longer than those from deceased donors.
“Living donors give the gift of time and quality of life,” says Dr. Sita Gourishankar, Director of 糖心视频’ Living Donor Kidney Transplant Program.
“Their gift often means the recipient can return to work, spend more time with loved ones, and enjoy everyday moments without the limits of kidney failure. Their generosity not only saves lives but also inspires hope, showing the profound impact one person’s selflessness can have on another’s future. Living donation truly is the gift of life.”
More than 500 people are waiting for life-saving transplants in Alberta. For more information on how to become a living donor, visit .
When it comes to deceased donation, one organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can save or dramatically improve up to 75 lives. Albertans are encouraged to register their intent to donate after death at — or at a motor vehicle registry office — and to tell their loved ones about their donation decision, as they will be asked to consent.
Give Life Alberta is dedicated to making the option of organ and tissue donation a trusted part of end-of-life care in Alberta. By increasing awareness, registrations and conversations, we can reduce missed donation opportunities and improve access to life-saving transplants.
